Alma, Quebec, September 23, 2009 − The Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of National Revenue and Minister of State (Agriculture and Agri-Food) today announced, on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, $477,500 in repayable funding to Alma’s Universel Hotel through the Community Adjustment Fund, an initiative established under Canada’s Economic Action Plan, for improvements to its facilities.
Universel Hotel’s project consists of expanding a meeting room, retrofitting the rooms and common areas, and building a swimming pool and spa. In investing in these upgrades, the hotel aims to strengthen its image, provide greater comfort and welcome more visitors.
“These improvements to the Universel Hotel will help boost the quality of services and meet the needs of tourists and business clients in the Lac-Saint-Jean-Est Regional County Municipality (RCM). As well, an increase in tourist traffic is expected to generate significant spinoffs for the local economy. For tourism to remain an important engine of regional development, it was natural for the Government of Canada to support this project,” said Minister Blackburn.
The work will be undertaken shortly and will lead to the creation of five new jobs in the very near future. The increase in tourism traffic is expected to generate eight new part-time permanent jobs in the region.
"Our government adopted Canada's Economic Action Plan in January of this year to tackle the economic crisis that has hit our country and the rest of the world. This large-scale measure is aimed not only at bringing about our rapid recovery, but also at laying the foundations for solid long-term economic growth and job creation. The efforts being made by Alma’s tourism players are creating attractive opportunities for business and outdoor tourism in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean. The Universel Hotel team is known for its great professionalism, as evidenced by the steady growth in the establishment’s occupancy rates. Canada’s Economic Action Plan Canada provides support to development projects like the one we are announcing here in Alma today, and will lead to the investment of nearly $62 billion in our economy over the next two years," Minister Blackburn concluded.
For more on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
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Sources:
Suzanne Thébarge
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 514-496-6714
E-mail: suzanne.thebarge@dec-ced.gc.ca
Simon Bachand
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Cell.: 613-996-6236
E-mail: simon.bachand@dec-ced.gc.ca
